95933 - Culture and Society (1)

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course the student acquires the ability to understand the main classical and contemporary sociological theories and to critically reflect on the fundamental social and cultural mechanisms, identities and processes. The student has acquires the conceptual tools necessary to consider contemporary phenomena of cultural production and consumption.

Course contents

The course introduces the main concepts to understand the fundamental classical and contemporary sociological theories and to reflect critically on the socio-historical genesis of contemporary societies and on social mechanisms and social structure with particular reference to the globalized Western world. In particular, the course provides the analytical tools to thematize the genesis of contemporary society from a sociological perspective with particular attention to the classics of the subject and their reflections on modernity and the forms of capitalism; social roles and institutions; social differences and inequalities. Also relevant to this part of the course is a theoretical reflection on sociological styles exemplified by some foundational studies of the subject. The course will then consider social interaction more closely in the framework of the debate between structure and action and will focus on the construction of identity and social differences, with particular attention to gender identities. Finally, some of the most important social issues in contemporary societies will be considered, with particular attention to the sphere of culture, cultural production and consumption.

Readings/Bibliography

Students have to study:

Giddens, A. e Ph. W. Sutton, Fondamenti di Sociologia, Il Mulino, Bologna, 2022 (sixth edition).

And one volume of their choice out of the following:

Garfinkel, A. (2000) Agnese, Armando, Roma.

Simmel, G. (1998) Il denaro nella cultura moderna, Armando, Roma.

Sombart, W (2003) Dal lusso al capitalismo, Armando, Roma.

Weber, M. (1997) La scienza come professione, Armando, Roma.

N.B. You will prepare the exam on the sixth edition of the book Fondamenti di Sociologia. The non-attending program does not include any integration as failure to attend requires a greater commitment to individual work

The programme is valid for AY 2024/25

In preparation to the course students may wish to read one of the following:

Bagnasco, A. (2012) Prima lezione di sociologia, Laterza, Bari.

Cavalli, A. (2016) Incontro con la sociologia, il Mulino, Bologna.

Spillman, L. (2022) Sociologia culturale, Il Mulino, Bologna.

Teaching methods

The course will be organized through lectures with the help of Powerpoint. During each lesson topics for discussion will be proposed to students and active participation will be encouraged.

Assessment methods

The exam will be written in presence with 6 open questions on the program chosen by the student (manual plus book of your choice).

Each question is worth a maximum of 5 points. An exam in which the student demonstrates that they can answer the questions in the exam text with precise and adequate knowledge and sure language skills will result in an excellent/very good level evaluation. An exam in which the student demonstrates their ability to summarize the topics covered in the exam texts with acceptable language will result in an assessment of a sufficient/good level. An exam in which the student does not demonstrate adequate mastery of the material, using inaccurate language, will result in an insufficient evaluation.

Teaching tools

Powerpoint slides

Students who require specific services and adaptations to teaching activities due to a disability or specific learning disorders (SLD), must first contact the appropriate office: https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en/for-students .

Office hours

See the website of Roberta Sassatelli